Advanced Practice Professional- Radiation Oncology (Thomas Memorial Hospital)

About the role

The West Virginia University Health System, the state’s largest health system and largest private employer, comprises 18 hospitals throughout the state and bordering states. In addition, it includes five institutes, as well as providing management services for other local hospitals through affiliate agreements.

Work Here. Thrive Here.

Responsibilities

• Manages comprehensive and individualized care for patients and their families undergoing radiation therapy in the ambulatory setting and/or inpatient setting as applicable.
• Completes daily rounds; consults and/or pre-treatment or pre-procedure/evaluations in radiation oncology.
• Participates in ambulatory clinic and/or inpatient rounding as applicable.
• Completes integrated assessments. With the collaboration of radiation oncology faculty or by following established clinical Guidelines and Protocols, orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate.
• Performs and communicates results of diagnostic tests following established clinical guidelines and scope of practice.
• Consults and communicates with clinic and hospital staff regarding abnormal findings in the evaluations of patients.
• Performs succinct comprehensive clinical evaluations and documents findings in medical record.
• Facilitates patient disposition planning and/or follow-up by ordering/coordinating appropriate services and tests necessary for outpatient follow-up appointments in the clinic (as applicable).
• Performs necessary procedures following established clinical guidelines and Protocols and scope of practice (SOP).
• Develops a comprehensive individualized plan of care for radiation oncology patients, which includes acute management, teaching, disposition planning and necessary referral to other members of the health care team, as necessary.
• Identifies unstable or complex radiation oncology patient care situations and facilitates appropriate intervention in the clinic and/or hospital setting.
• Recognizes emergency situations and initiates effective emergency care.
• Evaluates radiation oncology patients and directs follow up procedures and tests in the ambulatory setting (as applicable).
• Assists in the collection of outcome measures (as applicable).
• Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making by the identification, evaluation, and management of the individual needs of patients/families.
• Bases decisions made/actions taken on the relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.
• Utilizes teaching/learning theory and appropriate teaching strategies in the provision of education to nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families, and the community.
• Promotes an environment that facilitates learning by responding to appropriate patient/family preferences, priorities, and readiness to learn.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of patient/family teaching and collaborates with the nursing and clinical staff in the completion of education plan.
• Updates own knowledge base throughout the year. Completes all identified clinical competencies.
• Serves as a resource person for staff caring for the radiation oncology patient.
• Provides educational programs to professional and paraprofessional personnel in area of expertise.
• Mentors nursing personnel in all levels of clinical practice.
• Participates in community programs, distribution of literature, as appropriate in area of expertise.
• Communicates effectively with patients/families, physician, and ancillary services at all levels to assure coordinated efficient patient care.
• Documents the plan of care, interventions, and evaluations in a clear and concise manner for every patient visit in the patient’s medical record following approved hospital/UHA policies and compliance standards for documentation.
• Documents all interventions in the patient’s medical record following approved hospital/UHA policies and compliance standards for documentation.
• Collaborates with other leaders and staff to effectively achieve patient outcome-based improvements in care.
• Provides leadership in the development and implantation of changes in the radiation oncology practice that positively impact patient outcomes.
• Works collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to facilitate creative problem solving and provide professional support.
• Participates and initiates inter-disciplinary approaches to patient care, program development and education.
• Serves as a professional role model.
• Promotes and practices innovation of the expanded role in the delivery of care to radiation oncology patients and families in the infusion center, the inpatient hospitalization, and the ambulatory setting.
• Participates and provides leadership for committees and task forces.
• Documents hours and submits billing reports, as appropriate.
• Participates in the WVUH/UHA Performance Improvement Plan.
• Applies information from Performance Improvement activities, changing practice as necessary, to improve care provided to patients.
• Reviews and interprets radiation oncology data from sources such as patient registries, clinical and financial reports, length of stay, access to care, and cost per case reports and recommends/implements changes, as necessary.
• Participates in clinical trials and research studies with the Principal Investigator.
• Assists Faculty, Administrators and Directors in the collection of outcome measures.
• Adheres to the established Performance Expectations for UHA Employees in the areas of People, Service, Performance Improvement, and Shared Values & Culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications For Nurse Practitioner: Graduate of a CCNE accredited nursing program with master’s degree in Nursing National Certification by one of the recognized APRN Certification Centers. Licensure or eligibility for licensure, as a professional Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in West Virginia. American Heart Association BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department. Experience Radiation Oncology/Hematology Oncology, acute care, internal medicine experience preferred. Eligible new graduates will be considered.
• Minimum Qualifications For Physician Assistant: Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree as Physician Assistant required. Graduate of an ARC-PA approved Physician Assistant (PA) training program required. Certification by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants required. Must be licensed or eligible for licensure by the WV Board of Medicine or WV Board of Osteopathic Medicine. American Heart Association BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department. Master’s level degree as Physician Assistant preferred.